Stewards’ net snares two more trainers

TWO more North Queensland trainers have been stung by stewards after their horses have tested positive to a prohibited substance.

The positive tests, revealed by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner this week, follow the NQ trainers who have been fined and had horses disqualified for the use of dexamethasone.

The two most recent positive tests, on horses with trainers based in Townsville, are not for dexamethasone.

QRIC could not confirm what substance, but declared it was not dexamethasone and the horses tested positive for different substances.

“Two Townsville trainers have been advised that horses they train have tested positive to a prohibited substance,” Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said.

“One trainer was notified after his horse competed at Mackay on October 18, 2018, and the other when a horse he trains competed at Townsville on December 14, 2019.

“Both trainers will be subject to stewards’ inquiries on a date to be fixed.”

The inquiries have been delayed through coronavirus and a backlog of cases.

As many as six North Queensland horse trainers have been fined for the use of dexamethasone in recent months, including Sharlee D’avila, Alex Malliff, Roy Chillemi and Jade Doolan, while Mackay’s John Manzelmann and Townsville’s Jeffrey Caught have had multiple horses disqualified.

Caught was found guilty of using dexamethasone, while the other five pleaded guilty.

Dexamethasone is an antiinflammatory that is allowed to be administered to horses and is commonly used to aid in recovery from a race or track gallop.

However, it cannot be in a horse’s system on race day.

It usually takes three days to clear the horse’s system.